PASAY CITY -- The Senate approved on second reading Monday Senate Bill 3306, which seeks to convert the Don Honorio Ventura College of Arts and Trades (DHVCAT) into the first ever state university of Pampanga.

The Senate approved the amendments on Senate Bill 3306, taking consideration House Bill 6319.

Senate Bill 3306 was introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" Lapid and co-sponsored by Senator Mar Roxas, Edgardo Angara and Miguel Zubiri.

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On the other hand, House Bill 6319, the counterpart bill at the House of Representatives, was sponsored by Third District Representative Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr., who has been lobbying for the approval of both bills. Gonzales was present during Monday's Senate session to witness the approval of the bill.

The amended versions of the bill include the provisions that the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) would be the one to finally approve course programs to be offered by the DHVCAT.

Ched is also empowered to submit recommendations for the revocation of DHVCAT's university status in case the school does not maintain compliance with the rules on its university status.

Under the bill, the DHVCAT would be known as the Don Honorio Ventura Technical State University (DHVTSU).

In an interview, Gonzales told Sun.Star Pampanga that he is "ecstatic" about the recent development and that it would be only a matter of time before the final approval of the school's conversion into a state university. He said the conversion would enable access to additional funds and benefits for the school.

"It would now be a matter of time. The bills are now set for third reading and nominal voting of the Senate body," Gonzales said, expressing his optimism that the senators would act favorably on the said bill.

DHVCAT president Enrique Baking thanked Gonzales "for the steady support" he has extended in making the trade school a state university.

He said that once the state university status is conferred to DHVCAT, Gonzales would be recognized as among the core advocates of its university status, bearing similar status with founders of the trade school.

DHVCAT, which is said to be the oldest trade school in Asia, was established in 1896. (Ian Ocampo Flora)